Description
Hearty Mexican Fajita Chicken Casserole brings zesty southwestern flavors straight to dinner tables with minimal prep. Melted cheese, tender chicken, and bold peppers create a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 cups (about 680 grams) shredded cooked chicken
- 1 (1.12-ounce/32 grams) packet fajita seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) chicken broth
Vegetables and Dairy:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) frozen diced onion and bell pepper blend
- 1 (10-ounce/280 grams) can diced tomatoes with chilies, undrained
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream
- 1 (8-ounce/226 grams) shredded Mexican blend cheese
Starches and Sauces:
- 2 cups (320 grams) instant rice
- 1 (10.5-ounce/298 grams) can cream of chicken soup
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Create a flavor-packed mixture by combining shredded chicken, instant rice, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, frozen onion and bell pepper blend, diced tomatoes with chilies, chicken broth, and fajita seasoning in a large mixing bowl.
- Transfer the combined ingredients into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even distribution across the surface.
- Generously scatter Mexican blend cheese over the entire casserole, creating a complete cheese coverage.
- Shield the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld and heat thoroughly.
- Uncover the dish and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling layer.
- Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes, letting the flavors settle and making it easier to serve.
Notes
- Swap instant rice for quinoa or cauliflower rice to create a lower-carb, gluten-free version that’s packed with nutrients and adds a unique texture.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium cream of chicken soup and homemade fajita seasoning, which allows better control of salt intake while maintaining robust flavor.
- Boost protein content by adding black beans or diced grilled tofu for vegetarian friends or those seeking extra muscle-building nutrients.
- Make it spicier by incorporating diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce directly into the mixture, giving the casserole a customizable heat level for different taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 880 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg